Kanaga Valli M
Credit: X/@MBureaucrats
Bengaluru: The state government on Wednesday appointed IAS officer Kanaga Valli M as the Managing Director of the Karnataka State Medical Supplies Corporation (KSMSCL). This is linked with a host of changes being brought in the corporation, including modifying tender conditions.
A government order in this regard was issued on Wednesday. This, the health department noted, is part of their effort to make the corporation’s activities transparent and seamless.
“The post was reserved for an IAS officer but was not occupied by one recently. An IAS officer has a greater say and away in the administration, and their experience and capacity also facilitates better administration,” said Harsh Gupta, Principal Secretary, state health and family welfare department.
Interestingly, Kanaga Valli, who was serving as the MD, Karnataka Skill Development Corporation, was heading a sub-committee constituted last month to look into any lapses in the operations of the KSMSCL, in light of the Ringer’s Lactate issue linked to the maternal deaths in Ballari. One of the committee's recommendations was to have an IAS officer at the helm of affairs at the KSMSCL.
Additionally, the finance department recently cleared the proposal to have seven additional personnel at the KSMSCL, who are experts in pharmacology and biomedical engineering, besides senior administrative officers of the KAS cadre. “We didn't have this before. This is to strengthen the operations of the corporation,” Gupta added.
Tender conditions are also likely to be modified, modeled on what works in Tamil Nadu, where the government focuses on the present capabilities of the bidder rather than solely focusing on the experience. “This way, more bidders will be able to participate. We have tried to bring that here as well. This is likely to get approved shortly,” he said.